Editor:
I've been reading about Dr. Robert Shaw's concerns about surgeries being handled at Delta Hospital and wanted to add my concerns as I had an experience there this past May.
After I took myself to the ER with severe abdominal pain, I was moved in fairly quickly as my symptoms were progressing rapidly. After X-ray, ultrasound and a CT scan, I was finally diagnosed with a tumour on my ovary. I also had "torsion" (which means twisting), which was the cause of the extreme pain I was in.
I then learned that Delta Hospital could not treat me as it does not have a gynecologist on staff. I was discharged and referred to a surgeon's office in Richmond.
The following day after being told I could not see the Richmond doctor for a week, I sought more pain medication from my family doctor here in Ladner. Thank god I saw her as she may have saved my life. She told me to go to Richmond Hospital ASAP.
My doctor also works at Delta ER and was shocked that I had been discharged at all and that the Richmond doctor had not seen me immediately.
I have since learned that "torsion" is an urgent situation as it kills the organ it is twisting and that can cause mass internal infection like gangrene, from which you can die.
I have filed and pursued a complaint through RGH about the doctor there and my own family doctor assured me she would be discussing my treatment with appropriate people at Delta Hospital so I have never pursued that.
My concern is that when someone cannot be treated at Delta Hospital, no one seems to be making sure the appropriate treatment is given in a timely way.
I also think the health authorities do not communicate with each other effectively or that the B.C. Ambulance Service is working most efficiently. An ambulance will not take you where you request; that is why my doctor told me not to call an ambulance but to get my husband to drive me to Richmond.
I certainly hope Delta Hospital can eventually become a full-service hospital and ER. I do not feel confident that in its current state it can keep our residents healthy and safe due to lack of timely treatment.
Martha Cheney
